Real Madrid center-back Agent Raphael Varane is keen to hold a meeting with Manchester United to discuss a possible transfer this summer.
Varane has one year left on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu and has already rejected the offer of extension. He was widely expected to be sold this summer, but the departure of Sergio Ramos led to conflicting reports about his continuation at the club.
According to the Mirror, Ramos’ outcome has not changed anything and Varane will still have to leave this summer – with United one of a handful of sides chasing the 28-year-old.
Varane is considered keen to move to England, where Chelsea have also been named potential suitors, and his agent is now apparent to push for a meeting with United bosses to try to reach an agreement.
To add a little extra confusion, the Mirror report states that Real are holding out for £ 50 million for Varane – despite a recent proposal that United had seen a bid of £ 50 million being fought back.
Varane’s future is up in the air / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
The idea of a £ 80m fee was floated around and was considered to have scared United, who do not want to pay that much for an aging player entering the final year of his contract.
Real’s actual demands are unclear right now, but they may well end up being forced to accept something around £ 50 million. After all, it is unlikely that a club will pay £ 80 million for Varane this summer, and it is Real who will face losing him for free next year.
If United choose to continue their interest in Varane, they are expected to face competition from Paris Saint-Germain. Foot Mercato states that talks have begun between PSG and Real, with the French side feeling good about their chances of getting a deal ready.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær wants a new centerback / Kacper Pempel – Pool / Getty Images
What is certain, ironically, is that the future of commodities lies is unclear at this stage. There are still conflicting ideas about whether Real even want to keep him, if he wants to stay, how much United want to pay or if any other side wants to join.
United’s interest is real, but it depends on whether they consider this a priority business area, given that they are in advanced negotiations with Borussia Dortmund over Jadon Sancho.
For more from Tom Gott, follow him on Twitter!
